System and method for extracting oil from plant materials

ABSTRACT

A plant oil extraction system may include a reservoir tank, an agitator tank, a filtration system, a boiler tank, a condenser unit, and a vacuum chamber. The reservoir tank may hold a solvent to be used in the system process. The solvent may be deposited into the reservoir tank through a fill port. A pump may transfers the solvent from the reservoir tank to the agitator tank. The agitator tank may hold dry plant matter. The agitator tank may separate oil from the plant matter by use of solvent where the mixture of solvent and plant oil drains to the boiler tank through a filter system. The boiler tank comprise of a tank stack (condenser) used for separating extracted plant oil from the solvent by boiling off the solvent and a vacuum pump used to extract residual solvent from the extracted plant oil and generally purge the extracted plant oil.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present continuation patent application claims priority benefit ofthe U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/873,361 filed 2Oct. 2015 entitled “A System and Method for Extracting Oil from PlantMaterials” under 35 U.S.C. 120, and further claims priority of the U.S.provisional application for patent Ser. No. 62/059,715 entitled “EarthGrease Plant Oil (Concrete) Extraction Apparatus”, filed on 3 Oct. 2014,under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of these related applications areincorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent thatsuch subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office,patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to processingplant materials. More particularly, the invention relates to a plant oilextraction apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. It isbelieved that there are many uses for plant oil including, but notlimited to, uses for health, beauty, recreation, etc. For example,without limitation, the consumption of some plant oils may aid inpromoting cellular health, may help to lower cholesterol levels, mayboost the immune system, may help fight chronic inflammatory conditionssuch as, but not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. In addition,some plant oils may be used as additives in cosmetic and skin careproducts such as, but not limited to, soaps, lotions, lip balms, etc.Some individuals claim that various different plant oils may havespecific therapeutic properties suitable for different skin types orconditions; for example, without limitation, lavender oil may helpsoothe and heal sunburns, coconut oil may help moisturize the skin,argan oil may provide anti-aging benefits, etc. Due to the assertions ofthese benefits, one can expect that the cost of and demand forcommercial plant oils with respect to health and beauty purposes may behigh. Furthermore, many plant oils, particularly those from herbs andflowers may be used to scent various different items such as, but notlimited to perfumes, candles, cosmetics, etc. Yet other plant oils maybe used for mechanical uses including, without limitation, as lubricantsor as biofuel.

By way of educational background, an aspect of the prior art generallyuseful to be aware of is that there are currently some processes andapparatuses available for extracting oil from plants including, withoutlimitation, large commercial operations and small scale DIY methods. Forexample, without limitation, one embodiment teaches a device thatpeculates a solvent over herbs or other plant material. Then, thesolvent may eventually evaporate from the system. In other methods,plant oil may be obtained by thrashing and boiling plant materials insolvents, which are typically flammable. This may enable the solvents toevaporate into the atmosphere, which may, as in other methods in whichthe solvent evaporates into the atmosphere, cause pollution and maycreate a fire or explosion hazard. Moreover, these processes may bewasteful as the solvent that evaporates into the atmosphere typicallycannot be recovered for reuse and may also leave excessive unwantedresidual solvents within the final product. There are also somecurrently available extractors based on super critical butane or carbondioxide at high pressure, which are typically not safe for home use.Furthermore, these methods of solvent plant oil extraction may be timeconsuming and typically require many steps and parameters and manyopportunities for mistakes such as, but not limited to, spills. Also,these methods typically utilize mechanical mixing, which often does notproduce optimum amounts of oil.

The product of solvent extraction may be referred to as concrete, whichis typically a semi-solid mass obtained by solvent extraction of freshplant material. This product may also be referred to as plant oil orearth grease.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary plant oil extractionsystem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary condenser for a plant oil extractionapparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D illustrate an exemplary layout for thecomponents of a plant oil extraction apparatus, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a front perspectiveview. FIG. 3B is a diagrammatic left side view. FIG. 3C is adiagrammatic rear view, and FIG. 3D is a diagrammatic right side view.FIG. 3E illustrates a 3D cut-away view of an exemplary systemimplementation of FIGS. 3A to 3D.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E illustrate an exemplary housing for a plantoil extraction apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic front view. FIG. 4B is adiagrammatic left side view. FIG. 4C is a diagrammatic rear view. FIG.4D is a diagrammatic right side view, and FIG. 4E is a diagrammatic topview; and

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for using aplant oil extraction apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations ofthe invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit withinthe scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read asplural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to embodimentsthereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names are for example only and not meant to imply anylimitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented withdifferent nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe themechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given itsbroadest interpretation given the context in which that term isutilized.

Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or contextfor terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “A memory controller comprising a system cache . . ..” Such a claim does not foreclose the memory controller from includingadditional components (e.g., a memory channel unit, a switch).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” or “operable for” is used to connote structureby indicating that the mechanisms/units/circuits/components includestructure (e.g., circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task ortasks during operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/componentcan be said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) thetask even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is notcurrently operational (e.g., is not on). Themechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” or“operable for” language include hardware—for example, mechanisms,structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program instructionsexecutable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that amechanism/unit/circuit/component is “configured to” or “operable for”perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph, for thatmechanism/unit/circuit/component. “Configured to” may also includeadapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components thatare adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such aphrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being basedon C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions,concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the following specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upona specific analytical technique.

The term ‘comprising,” which is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by” is inclusive or open-ended and doesnot exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising”is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named claimelements are essential, but other claim elements may be added and stillform a construct within the scope of the claim.

As used herein, the phase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” (orvariations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, ratherthan immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element setforth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim asa whole. As used herein, the phase “consisting essentially of” limitsthe scope of a claim to the specified elements or method steps, plusthose that do not materially affect the basis and novelcharacteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter.

With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consistingessentially of” where one of these three terms is used herein, thepresently disclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use ofeither of the other two terms. Thus in some embodiments not otherwiseexplicitly recited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by“consisting of” or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of.”

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions orparticular construction materials indicated herein are solely providedas examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to belimiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particularapplication, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in lightof the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternativeimplementation details.

One embodiment of the present invention may provide an automated, safeto use, closed loop, small scale plant oil extraction apparatus. The oilor concrete extracted by this apparatus may be used for a multiplicityof suitable uses including, but not limited to, for health, beauty, orrecreation. In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a controlsystem and user interface that may enable a user to control and monitortime and environments within the apparatus appropriate for processingunique plant materials.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary plant oil extractionsystem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inthe present embodiment, the system comprises a reservoir tank 101, anagitator tank 105 a boiler tank 110, and a condenser unit 115. Reservoirtank 101 may hold a solvent to be used in the system process. Thesolvent may be deposited into reservoir tank 101 through a fill port 120or optionally a pre-filled reservoir cartridge may be mechanicallyattached to the solvent input and solvent output within the apparatus.In some embodiments fill port 120 may comprise a fill port sensorindicating whether the fill port 120 is open or closed, a sight glass todetermine fill level, and a fill level sensor to determine fill levelduring operation. Some alternate embodiments may be implemented withoutfill sensors and/or a sight glass. In the present embodiment, a solenoidvalve and a pump 125 may transfer the solvent from reservoir tank 101 toagitator tank 105. Reservoir tank 101 may also act as a venting bufferallowing the venting gases from the various components condensate aswell as vapor by density, this will aid in allowing mostly air ventingin the burn-off. When the pump stars to transfer the solvent from tank101 to 105 the air being displaced in 105 replaces the volume of fluidleaving 101, this transfer of liquids and gases continues throughout theprocess we could refer to the reservoir during these processes as a ventplenum.

Agitator tank 105 may comprise of an ultrasonic generator 127 to producevibrations that may be used to agitate plant matter and solvent withinagitator tank 105 to produce a plant oil/solvent solution. The plantmatter may be placed in a filter bag 130 within agitator tank 105, whichmay typically enable the plant oil to be extracted from the plant matterwhile helping to prevent the plant matter from moving on to later stagesof the process. It is contemplated that filter bag 130 may be made of amultiplicity of suitable materials including, without limitation, paper,plastic mesh, cheesecloth, other fabrics, etc. Optionally, agitator tank105 may comprise a filter bag clip assembly for holding filter bag 130.The clips may be fixed to the frame of the apparatus and not to agitatortank 105. Alternately, in some embodiments the clips may be fixed toagitator tank 105 or may be omitted. In some alternate embodiments theplant matter may be placed in the agitator tank without a filter bag,and the plant matter may be removed from the plant oil/solvent solutionby a filter at or the exit of the agitator tank or outside the agitatortank, a straining mechanism within the agitator tank, separationchamber, etc. In the present embodiment, since agitator tank 105vibrates to blend the plant matter and solvent, the agitator tank 105may be placed on a movable surface such as, but not limited to rubberpadding, an air cushion, springs, etc. This may help to ensure that theultrasonic vibration stays within agitator tank 105 and is nottransferred to the apparatus as a whole. In some alternate embodiments,the agitator tank may be mounted outside the apparatus as a whole tohelp preserve the energy of the vibrations. In the present embodiment,agitator tank 105 may comprise two transducers 135 fixed to the bottomsurface that are connected to the ultrasonic generator. The ultrasonicgenerator and transducers convert electrical energy into ultrasonicvibration. (The transducers could be omitted from the current embodimentif the agitation was to occur mechanically such as auger agitation ormotor driven thrasher, etc). Those skilled in the art will readilyrecognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention, that a multiplicity of suitable means for mixing thecontents of the agitator tank may be used in some embodiments including,without limitation, mechanical agitators such as, but not limited to,moving paddles for thrashing and/or mixing, an internal auger mixer,shaker, blender, mounting the agitator tank to a rocking table, etc. Inthe present embodiment, a heater may also be fixed to agitator tank 105along with a temperature sensor for heat control. Some alternateembodiments may be implemented without a heater or temperature sensors.In the present embodiment, a solenoid valve may enable a gravity feed ofplant oil/solvent solution to enter boiler tank 110. In addition, afilter 140, for example, without limitation, a 10+/− micron filter, maybe placed between agitator tank 105 and boiler tank 110 to capture plantmatter that may have escaped filter bag 130. A flow meter will be placedafter the filter to gauge when the filter will need to be changed. It iscontemplated that this filter may be omitted in some embodiments.

In the present embodiment, boiler tank 110 may be comprised of a tankstack typically used for separating the extracted plant oil from thesolvent by boiling off the solvent. Boiler tank 110 may be configured asa two level tank with an oil chamber 145 in the bottom portion and asolution chamber 150 in the top portion. Oil chamber 145 may be filledwith oil with a heating element 155 submerged within to typicallyprovide safe, controlled, uniform heat to the entire bottom surface ofsolution chamber 150 above. Oil chamber 145 may also comprise atemperature sensor for heat control. Solution chamber 150 is typicallywhere the solution enters boiler tank 110 from agitator tank 105 andwhere the solution may be boiled to separate the solvent from the plantoil. The separated plant oil may then be removed from boiler tank 110for use through a drain 157, which may be opened or closed with a manualor solenoid valve. Optionally the boiler tank may be completely removedfrom the apparatus or a tray removed so that the plant oil may beretrieved. It is contemplated that some embodiments may be implementedwith a single tank boiler in which a heating element is submerged in thesolution itself or placed on the outside of the boiler. In the presentembodiment, condenser 115 may be attached directly to the top of boilertank 110. Boiler tank 110 may be attached to the input with a union andto the stack (which is the base containing packing material) with aquick release clamp to typically allow easy removal and cleaning ofboiler tank 110. In some embodiments various different types ofattachment means may be used to connect the boiler tank to the system insome embodiments including, without limitation, threaded connectors,rubber fittings, welding, etc. In the present embodiment boiler tank 110may optionally be isolated (by a solenoid valve between the stack andthe quick release valve) at the end of the condensing process andconverted into a vacuum chamber for the removal of residual solventsfrom the plant oil extract by connecting boiler tank 110 to a burn-offbox 160 on condenser 115 with a vacuum pump 165 and providing vacuumrelief means 170 from the atmosphere through the boiler tank 110. Someembodiments may be configured without this vacuum purge feature.

In the present embodiment, condenser 115 may be used to condense solventvapors coming from boiler tank 110 back into liquid. At the entrance ofcondenser there may be a packing area filled with a packing media, forexample, without limitation, stainless steel wool, that may provideadditional surface area to separate the oil from the solvent so that theplant oil typically remains in boiling tank 110. A fan 173 may beattached to the condenser 115 to force outside air over condenser 115 todraw heat from condenser 115 and to typically cool the solvent vapor sothat it may condense into liquid solvent. The condensed solvent movesdown condenser 115 to an exit and returns to reservoir 101 by gravityfor reuse. The solvent may also be drained from reservoir 101 through adrain 175, for example, without limitation, for disposal or for use inanother application. Drain 175 may be opened or closed by a manual orsolenoid valve. In some alternate embodiments the condenser may includea larger outer tube, with a core of several smaller tubes runningthrough it. The cluster of small tubes are sealed at the ends by twoplates with o-rings between the plates and tubes, which make a seal. Thesmall tubes are then set, with some distance between them, inside thelarger tube and sealed with perforated plates and gaskets to make theseal between the core of small tubes and the larger outer tube. A fanmay be configured to push air through the small tubes condensing thesolvent vapors on their exterior and within the confines of the largerouter tube. The vapor inlet, the liquid exit, and vent on the largerouter tube remain the same or similar to the foregoing condenser designembodiment. This is contemplated to enable a more effective heatexchange and therefore would tend to provide for a faster condensing ofthe vapors. In yet another alternate embodiment, the solvent may beconfigured to exit the system for disposal directly from the condenserafter being converted back into liquid rather than being returned to thereservoir tank.

In the present embodiment, the system comprises venting means that mayrelieve any pressure that might accumulate in the system due to heatprior to entering burn-off box 160. The venting means comprises smalldiameter conductive venting tubes 180 that may connect agitator tank 110and condenser 115 to reservoir tank 101. Reservoir tank 101 is vented tothe atmosphere through burn-off box 160. This may enable excess pressureto escape the system in a typically safe manner. A condensation coil 185in vent tubing 180 may be located in condenser 115 which may trapsolvent vapor that makes its way through the vent system and may enablethe vapor to condense and return to reservoir tank 101 prior to enteringburn-off box 160. Condensation coil 185 in vent tubing 180 may allow forthe internal expansion and contraction of the air inside the systemwhile typically not enabling solvent to evaporate into the atmosphere.Burn-off box 160 is a small box surrounded by fire walls which may belocated at the end of the venting system. Solvent sensors 187 may beplaced at the connections between burn-off box 160 and condensation coil185 and vacuum release means 170 that may be able to actuate a heatingelement 189 in burn-off box 160. If solvent vapor is sensed in burn-offbox 160, heating element 189 may be ignited to burn off the vapor beforethe vapor enters the atmosphere. In some embodiments, the burn-off boxmay be operated on a timed basis, without the use of solvent sensors.

In the present embodiment, the plant oil extraction apparatus maycomprise a micro controller 190 to control systems functions including,without limitation, ultrasonic generator 127, tank level sensors,solvent sensors 187, heat sensors, solenoid valves, pumps, heatingelements 155 and 189, tank heaters, fan 173, vacuum pump 165, a controlpanel 193, a system display 195, system indicator lights 197, etc.Control panel 193 may comprise a multiplicity of suitable system inputssuch as, but not limited to, an on/off switch, control knobs, a startbuttons, timers, temperature settings, etc.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that manymaterials suitable for maintaining the heat associated with the systemwithout being corroded by the solvent being used within the system maybe used in the construction of the various elements of the extractionapparatus. For example, without limitation, stainless Steel may be adesirable material for most components; yet other materials may also beused such as, but not limited to, wood, brass, aluminum, polypropylene,PVDF, various different plastics, etc. Furthermore, the types of valvesused in some alternate embodiments may also vary. For example, withoutlimitation, manual valves may be used in some embodiments rather thansolenoid valves. Moreover, it is contemplated that various differenttypes of sensors may be used for measuring many different propertiessuch as, but not limited to, temperature, solvent detection, solventcontent, solvent levels, solution levels, oil levels, pressure, flowrate, organic composition, etc.

In typical use of the present embodiment, the extraction apparatus maybe used as a fully automated system for the extraction of plant oil fromplant matter for consumer or small facility use. Prior to using theapparatus, plant matter is typically dried, pulverized, put into filterbag 130 and placed into agitator tank 105. A lid 199 may then be placedon agitator tank 105 and secured. Lid 199 may comprise locks and lockingsensors to typically ensure that agitator tank 105 is securely closed.Alternate embodiments may be implemented without locks and/or lockingsensors. In the present embodiment once the apparatus is started pump125 may transfer solvent from reservoir tank 101 to agitator tank 105where a level sensor may communicate to pump 125 to stop once agitatortank is filled to an appropriate level. Some alternate embodiments maybe configured so that the pump runs for a predetermined amount of timeto fill the agitator tank. Starting the apparatus also activatesultrasonic generator 127 and a heater in agitator tank 105. As the plantmatter in filter bag 130 is agitated in the heated solvent, plant oilmay be extracted from the plant matter to combine with the solvent in asolvent/oil solution. It is believed that this method of UltrasonicAssisted Extraction (UAE) using heated solvent may produce a high yieldof plant oil. Yet, some embodiments may comprise various different typesof agitation means other than ultrasonic vibrations. Also, someembodiments may be implemented without heating means in the agitatortank. In the present embodiment, after a set period of time ofagitation, ultrasonic generator 127 is deactivated and a solenoid valveon agitator tank 105 may be opened to drain the solvent/oil solutionfrom agitator tank 105 into boiler tank 110 through filter 140, whichmay remove small particles of plant matter that may remain in thesolution. It is contemplated that such a filter may be omitted from theapparatus in some alternate embodiments. Those skilled in the art willreadily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention, that the solenoid valve controlling the flow ofthe solution from agitator tank 105 and boiler tank 110 may be placed oneither side of filter 140. In some embodiments a valve may be placedeach side of the filter. Moreover, a flow sensor/meter may be placedbefore and after the filter to gauge the flow going into the filter andout of the filter to indicate if the filter needs to be replaced.

In the present embodiment, heating element for boiler tank 110 may alsobe activated when the apparatus is started so that boiler tank 110 istypically at the proper temperature to boil the solvent once thesolution reaches boiler tank 110. Boiler tank 110 may comprises twolevels, sealed bottom level, oil chamber 145, comprising heating element155 and a thermocouple to control temperature and upper level, solutionchamber, 150 that typically holds the solution as it comes to a boilwith the heat coming from oil chamber 145. Once the solution boils insolution chamber 150, the vaporizing solvent rises up through an opentop port of boiler tank 110 and passes through packing material such as,but not limited to, stainless steel wool into condenser 115. The topport of boiler tank 110 may or may not comprise a solenoid or manualvalve to control the flow of vapor from boiler tank 110.

Condenser 115 may pass through an outer housing of the apparatus and istypically insulated to separate the environment of condenser 115 formthe rest of the apparatus. Fan 173 may force air from the outside of theapparatus over condenser 115, which may comprise multiple cooling finsas illustrated by way of example in FIG. 2. The heat from the boilingprocess is transferred through condenser 115 and out of the apparatus.This may enable the solvent within condenser 115 to convert from vaporto liquid. In the present embodiment, condenser 115 may be slopeddownwardly to a tapered port where the condensed liquid solvent mayreturn to reservoir 101 by gravity. While boiler 110 is working at theboiling point temperature of the solvent, the reservoir is typicallybeing refilled with the condensed solvent from the vapor of the boilingsolution. Once reservoir 101 is filled to a proper level, which may bedetected by a tank level sensor, agitator tank 105 may be refilled bypump 125, and the cycle may begin again. Optionally the cycle may starton a timed basis within the program. The number of cycles run for aparticular batch of plant matter may be preset with the use of microcontroller 190 for maximum yield. The number of cycles may be chosen bythe user using control panel 193. Alternately, the number of cycles maybe determined by micro controller based on preprogrammed algorithmsbased on factors including, but not limited to, the type of plantmatter, the amount of plant matter, the type of solvent, the amount ofheat in the system, etc. Furthermore, many other parameters of theapparatus may be chosen by the user with control panel 193 or may beautomatically determined by micro controller 190 such as, but notlimited to, the temperature of agitator tank 105, the temperature ofheating element 155, the appropriate level of reservoir 101, the speedof vibration from ultrasonic generator 127, the speed of pump 125, thetype of solvent being used for sensor calibration, amount of vacuumpressure 165, level of solvent detection to initiate burn-off heatingelement 189, etc.

In the present embodiment, the apparatus is open to the atmospherethrough the venting system that is attached to all of the components sothe apparatus typically does not become pressurized. In addition, theapparatus typically does not use super critical fluids. A supercriticalfluid is any substance at a temperature and pressure above its criticalpoint, where distinct liquid and gas phases do not exist. It can effusethrough solids like a gas, and dissolve materials like a liquid. Toachieve these non-liquid or gas point sometimes high temp and pressureis needed, this creates the danger in the use of super critical fluids.The venting system comprises condensation coil 185 to typically preventsolvents from escaping the system. As a secondary safety precaution,burn-off box 160, may be located at the end of the venting system toburn up any solvent that makes its way through the venting system beforethe solvent can escape into the atmosphere. The heating element in theburn-off box is initiated when the solvent sensors 187 reads volatilelevels of solvent. As the solvent passes through the venting system 180or the vacuum system 165, to the insulated burn-off box 160 the heatingelement 189 inside the box ignites the solvent in a controlled manor toeliminate solvent fumes accumulating outside the apparatus. With thesesafety guards in place the apparatus may typically be operated virtuallyanywhere and in any ambient temperature, although the optimaltemperature range for operation is believed to be between 20 F and 80 F.Optionally, after the apparatus has run the predetermined number ofcycles, boiler tank 110 may be isolated from the other components of thesystem by manual or solenoid valves to be used as a vacuum chamber thatmay draw residual solvents from the plant oil remaining in boiler tank110. To perform this vacuum purge, vacuum relief means 170 may be openedby a valve and may draw in air from the outside atmosphere throughboiler tank 110 and out through vacuum pump 165 and a connected tubethat leads to solvent sensor 187 and ultimately burn-off box 160. Thismovement of air may cause boiler tank 110 to be under vacuum pressure,which may be incrementally relieved to help maximize the elimination ofresidual solvents in the plant oil. Once solvent sensor 187 indicatesthat a desired solvent reading is coming from boiler tank 110, plant oilmay be retrieved from boiler tank 110 through a drain 157. In thepresent embodiment, after the extraction cycles are complete, thetemperature in boiler tank 110 may be lowered to maintain enough heat totypically prevent the extracted plant oil solidifying yet not too highto burn the plant oil.

Extraction apparatuses according to the present embodiment may providesafe and clean means to extract plant oil from plant matter withvolatile solvents because the unit may be contained in a closedapparatus with a venting system and auxiliary burn-off box for fumesthat would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. The ventingsystems may also help to prevent pressure from building up in theapparatus, which may lead to an explosion hazard. Many embodiments mayalso operate with no use of super critical fluids. Our embodimentoperates at atmospheric pressure in a super critical fluid system couldbe as high as 20,000 psi this makes the responsibility of expertmaintenance in the owners hands seals and component failure can bedisastrous at these elevated pressures and temperatures. Theseextraction apparatuses also may comprise built in overrides to generallyensure correct operation for added safety. These overrides may includesolvent sensors within the box to detect leaks, component check toensure all components are operating properly, flow rate sensor to ensurefluids are passing through system, maximum and minimum temperatures,sensors to ensure that all compartments are closed and sealed, and thatall levels are achieved when needed, etc. In addition, some embodimentsmay reduce waste of typically expensive solvents with the cyclicalcapture, reuse, and recovery of solvents using an efficient and compactcondensing system comprising a cooling tube heat sink and conductivefins, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary condenser 115 for a plant oil extractionapparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inthe present embodiment a condenser unit 201 is located in an insulatedpipe 205 that passes though the extraction apparatus. Insulated pipe 205may act as a heat sink as there are many conductive fins 210 fixedbetween pipe 205 and condenser unit 201. A fan may be fixed to pipe 205to force outside air though pipe 205 and over fins 210 which helps todraw heat from condenser unit 201, along fins 210, and to the outsideatmosphere. This typically cools condenser unit to typically enablesolvent vapor in condenser unit 201 to convert into liquid solvent.Typically, solvent vapor enters condenser unit 201 from a boiler tankthrough an entry port 215. Then, as the vapor condenses into liquidgravity pulls the liquid down the sloped interior of condenser unit 201to an exit port 220. In addition, a condensation coil 225 of the ventingsystem may pass through condenser 115 which may trap solvent vapor inthe venting system and convert this vapor into liquid that may thenreturn to a reservoir tank by gravity. It is contemplated that amultiplicity of suitable means of condensing may be used other than anair cooled system such as, but not limited to, chilled water passingthrough or over the condenser, electric chill plates fixed to thecondenser, refrigeration units, etc. For embodiments configured aslarger systems, chillers may be used.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D illustrate an exemplary layout for thecomponents of a plant oil extraction apparatus, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A is a front perspectiveview. FIG. 3B is a diagrammatic left side view. FIG. 3C is adiagrammatic rear view, and FIG. 3D is a diagrammatic right side view.In the present embodiment, agitator tank 105 may be placed abovereservoir tank 101 so that solvent in reservoir tank 101 may be pumpedup into agitator tank 105. Boiler tank 110 may be placed lower thanagitator tank 105 so that the solvent/plant oil solution can flow fromagitator tank 105 to boiler tank 110 by gravity. Finally, condenser 115may be placed above boiler tank 110 to capture solvent vapor rising fromthe top of boiler tank 110. Referring to FIG. 3C, solvent vapor thatenters condenser 115 and is converted into liquid solvent may return toreservoir tank 101 by gravity through a return tube 301. Additionally,agitator tank 105 may be mounted on rubber pads or other similar meansfor isolating the vibrations of the ultrasonic generator in agitatortank 105. Referring to FIG. 3D, an open area 310 near boiler 110 may beused to hold electronic components, system controls, indicator lights, auser interface, a power source such as, but not limited to, a generatoror batteries, storage space, etc. This layout may allow for theefficient movement of the solvent and plant oil through the apparatusalong with the efficient use of space. Those skilled in the art willreadily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention, that the components in some alternate embodimentsmay be configured in a multiplicity of suitable layouts. For example,without limitation, agitator tank 105 and condenser 115 may be orientedperpendicular to reservoir tank 101 rather than parallel to reservoirtank 101 with boiler tank placed under the ends of agitator tank 105 andcondenser opposite from the ends over reservoir tank 101. The sightglass 425 may pass to the front of apparatus rather than be located atthe side or rear. The control panel may be located at the front of theapparatus rather than the top. Rather than an internal solvent recyclingsystem the fluid from an external separator is placed in a boiler thatsends the vapor to a condensator starting above the boiler and drainingnext to the boiler back into bottles.

FIG. 3E illustrates a 3D cut-away view of an exemplary systemimplementation of FIGS. 3A to 3D. Agitator heater 306 heats solvent toassist extraction process as well as preheating solvent to assist boilerprocess. By heating the solvent, the solvent can help penetrate theplant cells for maximum extraction. Once the pre-heated solution entersthe boiler it will be more quickly brought up to desired temperature forthe condensing process.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E illustrate an exemplary housing for a plantoil extraction apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 4A is a diagrammatic front view. FIG. 4B is adiagrammatic left side view. FIG. 4C is a diagrammatic rear view. FIG.4D is a diagrammatic right side view, and FIG. 4E is a diagrammatic topview. In the present embodiment, the plant oil extraction apparatus maybe contained in a small box as the housing. Referring to FIG. 4E, amicro controller may enable a user to control the internal functions ofthe apparatus using an external control panel 401. Control panel 401 maycomprise a multiplicity of suitable controls such as, but not limitedto, an on/off switch or button, a start button, temperature controls,timers, data input means, etc. Multiple indicator lights 405 may also beplaced on the housing to convey information to the user such as, but notlimited to, which cycle is being performed, when the cycles arefinished, if the heating element is on or off, etc. A vent 410 from theinternal burn-off box may also be placed on the top portion of thehousing to typically enable the system to relieve pressure that maybuild-up within. Optionally, vent 410 may be transparent to enable theuser to see when the heating element within the burn-off box isactivated. A lid 415 may give the user access to the agitator tank foradding the plant matter. Lid 415 may comprise locking means 420 such as,but not limited to, latches or clamps to typically ensure that lid 415is securely closed. Locking means 420 may comprise sensors that detectwhether or not lid 415 is secured so that the apparatus is ready tostart. In some embodiments displays or indicator lights may also beincluded, without limitation, to indicate to the user when 415 islocked. For example, without limitation, if locking means 420 is notengaged, the display or indicator light may signify that locking means420 are not latched, and the micro controller may prevent the apparatusfrom starting until lid 415 is closed properly. In the presentembodiment, a graduated sight tube 425 may be placed on the housing toenable the user to check the amount of solvent in the reservoir tank. Itis contemplated that some embodiments may be implemented without a sighttube for the reservoir tank or with various different means for checkingthe level of the solvent such as, but not limited to, an electronicsensor that displays the solvent level on a user interface. There is afill port on the reservoir tank. In the present embodiment, a reservoirdrain 430 may be located near the bottom of the housing to typicallyenable the reservoir tank to be drained, for example, withoutlimitation, for cleaning or replacing the solvent. Referring to FIGS. 4Aand 4D, a feed 435 may lead from the lower portion of the reservoir tankto a pump to transfer solvent from the reservoir tank to the agitatortank.

Referring to FIG. 4C, a fan 440 may provide fresh air to the condenserto aid in cooling solvent vapor in the condenser and converting thesolvent back to a liquid state. In some embodiments a filter may beplaced on the fan to help prevent dust or other debris from being pulledinto the condenser by fan 440. Some embodiments may also comprise a cageor guard around the fan for safety. Referring to FIG. 4A, an exhaustvent 445 may enable the air pulled into the condenser by fan 440 toescape the apparatus. The backside of the housing may also comprise anelectronics air filter 450. The purpose of the filter is to keep dustand dirt from affecting the performance or efficiency of the components.

In the present embodiment, a boiler valve 455 protrudes from the outsideof the housing to typically enable the user to drain the extracted plantoil from the boiler into a container for use once the apparatus hascompleted the extraction process. Referring to FIG. 4D, the user mayaccess the boiler with a slide out drawer 460 in the side of thehousing. In some embodiments a sliding or hinged door may be used forboiler access rather than a drawer. Optionally, a removable hot plate465 may be placed under the boiler valve to maintain a temperature highenough to help prevent the plant oil from solidifying. Optionally,because hot plate 465 is removable, hot plate 465 may also be used towarm a secondary container into which the plant oil may be emptied tohelp keep the plant oil minimally viscous for removal from the secondarycontainer for use. In some embodiments this temperature may bemaintained by a heating element in the boiler. Other alternateembodiments may comprise an integrated secondary container with orwithout heating means into which the oil in the boiler may automaticallydrain after or during the boiling process. The user may then access theoil in this container by a drain, access door, etc. In the presentembodiment, leveling feet 470 may be placed on the bottom of the housingso that the level of the apparatus as a whole may be adjusted.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that amultiplicity of suitable additional or alternate features may beincorporated into the housings of some embodiments such as, but notlimited to, transparent windows for viewing the process, a displayscreen, control knobs, control switches, control buttons, control dials,indication lights, multiple vents for releasing heat, access door forcomponents that may need to be changed for maintenance purposes (such asfilters), USB or other external computer connection for advanced systemcontrol and monitoring, etc. It is contemplated that extractionapparatuses may be implemented in various different shapes and sizes.For example, without limitation, a small “tabletop” apparatus may beimplemented for home use. This embodiment may comprise handles for easeof movement to typically enable the user to store the apparatus when notin use. Some larger embodiments may be implemented for use in a shed,basement, garage, etc. Yet other larger embodiments may be implementedfor use in production facilities of various different sizes.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for using aplant oil extraction apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In the present embodiment, the extraction of theplant oil may be accomplished with an easy to use fully automatedprocess using the extraction apparatus. The apparatus may be used forsolvent based plant oil extraction in consumer or small facility use.Some embodiments may be configured for use in larger applications. Inthe present embodiment, the process begins at step 501 in which the userplaces the apparatus on a level surface. If the apparatus comprisesleveling feet, the user may adjust these leveling feet to help ensurethat the apparatus is uniformly level. In step 505, the user may processthe plant matter. For example, without limitation, some plant materialshould typically be dried and reduced to small pieces. It iscontemplated that the preparation of the plant matter may depend on thetype of plant being used. Then, the prepared plant mater may be put inthe agitator tank in step 510. In some embodiments, the plant matter maybe put in a filter bag and placed within the agitator tank. In step 515the reservoir tank may be filled with solvent if the reservoir tank isnot already sufficiently full. The user may determine the solvent levelwithin the reservoir tank by checking a sight tube on the side of theapparatus. Alternatively, a dipstick may be placed in the reservoir tankto check the solvent level or the user may open the reservoir tank tocheck the solvent level. In step 520, the user may turn the apparatuspower on if the apparatus is not already turned on. The user may selectparameters for the process using a control panel and user interface onthe apparatus in step 525. Alternatively, the apparatus may becontrolled by remote control such as a remote control, Smartphone withBluetooth capabilities or directly from the internet via Wi-Fi, Chosenparameters may include, without limitation, type of solvent (forcalibration of sensors and temperatures), a heat range, the number ofcycles, timing, etc. These parameters may depend on various differentfactors such as, but not limited to, the unique plant material beingused, ambient temperature and humidity, the intended use for the plantoil, etc. It is contemplated that some embodiments may comprise aprogrammable user interface that may enable the user to preprogramsystem parameters for specific circumstances if desired. In theseembodiments the user may simply choose the appropriate preprogramed setof parameters and start the apparatus rather than choosing eachindividual parameter before starting the apparatus. Once the parametersare set, the user may press start button or other control means, forexample, without limitation, a lever or switch, to start the apparatusin step 530. The apparatus then automatically runs through the presetnumber of cycles for the extraction of oil from the particular plantmatter being used with the micro controller actuating solenoid valves,heating elements, and other controls to perform each step of theextraction process. Alternatively, some embodiments may incorporate somesteps that are not automated and which are performed by the user. Forexample, without limitation, in some embodiments, the user may manuallypump the solvent into the agitator tank with a hand pump or motorizedpump. In the present embodiment, after the cycles are complete, the usermay choose to vacuum purge the apparatus in step 535 if the particularapparatus comprises vacuum release means. If this step is performed, theboiler tank may be used as a vacuum chamber that draws residual solventsfrom the extracted plant oil. In step 540 the user may drain the plantoil from the boiler tank into a container. Optionally, this containermay be placed onto a hot plate set to a desired temperature to keep theplant oil minimally viscous for transfer to desired final containment.Finally, in step 545, the user may empty the reservoir tank into asolvent container by way of a drain valve for later use. In someapplications, the user may leave the solvent in the reservoir tank to beused again. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light ofand in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that theuser may perform additional steps in some embodiments depending on thefeatures of the apparatus, the particular application, environmentalconditions, etc. After the process is finished the boiler can be slidout and top part removed for easy access for cleaning (so that crosscontamination of oil can be eliminated). The inside of the boiler canhave a coating to also aid in cleaning. (ceramic, Teflon, or some othernonstick surface).

Some embodiments of the present invention may enable the user to makeoils from plants grown in garden, which may be less costly than buyingconsumer plant oils. Furthermore, these embodiments typically enable theuser to have complete knowledge of the content of the plant oil. Forexample, without limitation, some embodiments may allow a home owner togarden their own herbs for extraction with the knowledge that noherbicides, insecticides, or other outside products may end up in theextracted oil. Products or processes that can use or incorporate plantoils extracted by this process may include, without limitation,medicinal products that utilize plant oils, health products that utilizeplant oils, beauty products that utilize plant oils, food/beverageproducts that utilize plant oils, skincare products that utilize plantoil extracts, recreational use of plant oil extracts, cleaning productsutilizing plant oils, scented candles or sprays utilizing plant oils,etc.

A relatively simple embodiment of the present invention may comprise anagitator tank into which plant material and solvent may be placed toseparate oils from plant matter. The oil/solvent from the agitator tankmay then be poured through a filter into a boiler tank to boil off thesolvent, thus leaving the oil behind for further use. It is contemplatedthat a multiplicity of suitable additional or alternative features maybe incorporated into some embodiments such as, but not limited to,scraping or pressing means in the boiler to help maximize the amount ofoil obtained from the boiler, manual overrides of some of the automatedprocesses, etc.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of theforegoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, or removed andadditional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of theparticular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of theforegoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/orhardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know issuitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method stepsdescribed in the present application that can be carried out on acomputing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriatelyconfigured or designed, serve as a computer system in which thoseaspects of the invention may be embodied.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC § 112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC § 112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC § 112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for”claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6)functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legallyvalid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of“mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered amultiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specificstructures and elements which are suitable to act as correspondingstructures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claimsthat are interpreted under 35 USC § 112 (6) when such correspondingstructures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s)corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claimsinterpreted under 35 USC § 112 (6), which is/are not explicitlydisclosed in the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in thepatent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of USPTOsearching, Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally correspondingstructures and related enabling material herein by reference for thepurpose of providing explicit structures that implement the functionalmeans claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during anyclaims construction proceedings and/or examination of patentallowability properly identify and incorporate only the portions of eachof these documents discovered during the broadest interpretation searchof 35 USC § 112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of thepatent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of normalUSPTO searching and or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution.Applicant(s) also incorporate by reference the bibliographic citationinformation to identify all such documents comprising functionallycorresponding structures and related enabling material as listed in anyPTO Form-892 or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS)entered into the present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s)or any 3rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amendthe present application to explicitly include citations to suchdocuments and/or explicitly include the functionally correspondingstructures which were incorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC § 112 (6), which is/are not explicitlydisclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) haveexplicitly prescribed which documents and material to include theotherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portionsof such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated bysuch reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirementsof 35 USC § 112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documentsabove which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC § 112 (6)necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of theinstant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporatedby reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a plant oilextraction apparatus according to the present invention will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have beendescribed above by way of illustration, and the specific embodimentsdisclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed. The particular implementation of the plant oilextraction apparatus may vary depending upon the particular context orapplication. By way of example, and not limitation, the extractionapparatuses described in the foregoing were principally directed toimplementations for processing plant matter; however, similar techniquesmay instead be applied to apparatuses for extracting oil from non-plantmaterials, distilling apparatuses, or fermentation apparatuses, whichimplementations of the present invention are contemplated as within thescope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood thatnot all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification willnecessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, orimprovements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a reservoir tank, saidreservoir tank comprising a fill port for receiving a solvent, saidreservoir tank being configured for holding said solvent, wherein saidsolvent is deposited into said reservoir tank through said fill port; anagitator tank, said agitator tank comprising an ultrasonic generatorbeing operable to generally agitate a mixture of at least a plantmaterial and at least a portion said solvent, wherein said agitator tankis configured to substantially extract oil from said plant material, andwherein said agitator tank is heated or chilled to assist in said oilextraction; a filter system, wherein said filter system is configured toremove at least one of, a chlorophyll, a wax, and a suspended solid fromsaid extracted oil; a boiler tank, said boiler tank comprising an oilchamber configured to heat an ancillary oil in approximately safe andcontrolled uniform heat; a vacuum pump, said vacuum pump is configuredto remove residual solvents and generally purge said extracted oil;wherein a heated ancillary oil is imparted to at least an entire bottomportion of said solution chamber to heat and substantially separate saidreceived extracted oil and solvent; a condenser unit, said condenserunit is configured to substantially condense vapor produced from saidboiler tank back into a liquid form and flowed into said reservoir tankfor reuse; a venting apparatus, said venting apparatus is configured togenerally relieve any pressure that accumulates in the system; and aburn-off box, in which said burn-off box is operable to burn off solventfumes before escaping to an atmosphere outside of said system.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, in which said reservoir tank further comprising afill port sensor coupled to said fill port, wherein said fill portsensor is configured to indicate whether said fill port is open orclosed, and in which said fill port further comprising a sight glass andfill level sensor, and wherein said sight glass and fill level sensorare configured to determine a solvent fill level.
 3. The system of claim1, further comprising a pump, wherein said pump is configured totransfer said at least a portion of solvent from said reservoir tank tosaid agitator tank;
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a levelsensor configured to send a signal to said pump to stop once saidagitator tank is filled to a predetermined level.
 5. The system of claim1, in which said boiler tank further comprising at least an ancillaryoil heating element and a temperature sensor, wherein said oil chamberis filled with said ancillary oil and said ancillary oil heating elementis submerged in said ancillary oil, and wherein said ancillary oilheating element and temperature sensor are configured to heat saidancillary oil in approximately safe and controlled uniform heat.
 6. Thesystem of claim 4, wherein received extracted oil and solvent is broughtto a boil with said heat coming from said oil chamber, in which saidboiler tank further comprising a top port for venting vapor from saidheated extracted oil and solvent.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein saidvapor from the boiler tank enters said condenser unit through an entryport, then, as said vapor substantially condenses into said liquid form,said liquid is configured to flow down a sloped interior of saidcondenser unit to an exit port and into said reservoir tank through areturn tube.
 8. The system of claim 1, in which said venting apparatuscomprising a venting tube, said vending tube connects said agitator tankand said condenser unit to said reservoir tank and into said burn-offbox at an end of said venting apparatus to provide a closed ventingapparatus.
 9. The system of claim 8, in which said vent tubing furthercomprising a condensation coil in a condenser portion configured to trapsolvent fumes and enable the solvent fumes to condense and returned tosaid reservoir tank.
 10. The system of claim 1, in which said burn-offbox comprises a small box surrounded by fire walls.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, in which said burn-off box further comprises a solvent heatingelement operable to be ignited to burn off said solvent fumes beforeescaping to said atmosphere outside of said system
 12. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a micro controller to control systemsfunctions and enable an automated plant oil extraction system.
 13. Asystem comprising: means for receiving a solvent; means for storing saidsolvent, wherein said solvent is deposited into said storing meansthrough said receiving means; means for vibrating a mixture of at leasta plant material and at least a portion of said solvent, wherein saidvibrating means is configured to substantially extract oil from saidplant material; means for assisting said oil extraction; means forfiltering said extracted oil; means for heating an ancillary oil inapproximately safe and controlled uniform heat; means for holding atleast a portion of a mixture of extracted oil and said solvent; meansfor stacking said heating means and holding means, wherein said heatingmeans is in a generally bottom portion of said stacking means, andwherein said holding means is in a generally top portion of saidstacking means, in which said heated ancillary oil is imparted to atleast an entire bottom portion of said holding means to heat andsubstantially separate said extracted oil and solvent; means forcondensing vapor produced from said stacking means back into a liquidform and flowed into said storing means for reuse; means for ventingpressure that accumulates in the system, wherein said venting meansgenerally connects said stacking means and said condensing means to saidstoring means; and means for burning off solvent fumes before escapingto an atmosphere outside of said system, wherein said venting meansfurther connects said storing means to said means for burning offsolvent fumes.
 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising means fortransferring said solvent from said storing means to said vibratingmeans.
 15. The system of claim 13, further comprising means forfiltering said plant material from said solvent.
 16. The system of claim13, further comprising means for allowing internal expansion andcontraction of air inside the system.
 17. A method comprising the stepsof: receiving a solvent; storing said solvent, wherein said solvent isdeposited into a storing means through said receiving step; receiving atleast a plant material and at least a portion of said stored solvent;agitating said plant material and at least a portion of said storedsolvent, wherein said agitation step is configured to substantiallyextract plant oil from said plant material; transferring said extractedplant oil and said solvent to a boiler; heating an ancillary oil inapproximately safe and controlled uniform heat; holding at least aportion of a mixture of extracted oil and said solvent; separating saidextracted oil and solvent, in which said heated ancillary oil isimparted to at least an entire bottom portion of a holding means to heatsaid extracted oil and solvent; condensing vapor produced from saidheating step into a liquid form and flowed into said storing means forreuse; relieving pressure that accumulates in the system, wherein aventing means generally connects a stacking means and a condensing meansto said storing means; and burning off solvent fumes before escaping toan atmosphere outside of said system, wherein said venting means furtherconnects said storing means to a burning means for burning off solventfumes.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step oftransferring said solvent from said storing means to said holding means.19. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of filteringsaid plant material from said solvent.
 20. The method of claim 17,further comprising the step of heating said ancillary oil inapproximately safe and controlled uniform heat.
 21. The method of claim17, further comprising the step of removing residual solvent from saidextracted oil.